Quick Question ?

[Lpabsolute]

Hey, I purchased a frag of Purple People Eatters about a month ago. They were large in size and looked good. Since they have gotten smaller and are not as open as they were for the first two weeks. The frag has split in half as well. They don't open up all the way. Is there a reason for this? Are they ok? And what can i do to help then open up more and look healthy?

My tank is a 5.5g AGA Reef. Tank if full of other zoas which look healthy. I'm running around 50 watts of Power Compact 50/50 lighting. Frag is on the bottom of the tank. Please give advice...

This is a pic from what they use to look like

 

[Pazazz]

Sorry ... those are not PPE!!!

 

[geoxman]

I agree with Pazazz-not PPE just regular everyday PE. What are your water parameters? good luck

 

[Lpabsolute]

Sorry, your right they are PE's. Was just in a hurry when typing the thread. The tank parameters are all normal, and i keep my temp at 78. Just don't understand, why they look the way they do.

 

[Lpabsolute]

This is what my frag looks like now... "sorry for the bad quality"

 

[jessp]

hmmmm those are really tore up

 

[Lpabsolute]

Any idea of what might be causing this?

 

[kidzatheart]

Hey Lp, are those white spots on the sides of the PE's. If so look at this thread at the top of the forum.

 

[Lpabsolute]

No spots...

 

[Reef Junkie]

Palythoa type zoas have never been documented with the zoa pox.
More then likely they are slightly bleached. Either from a Temperature spike or light, maybe both. Even though you monitor your tank, it's not unlikely for the temperature to spike in the middle of the day. Especially in a 5.5 gallon tank.

They actually look very colorful and healthy.

Do you run Carbon or any other mechanical filtration?

Chances are your tank water is very clean/clear and that is why they have colored or lightened up. Excellent light penetration.

Best bet is to leave them alone and cut back on your filtration a bit. Even the zoas behind these look to be slightly lightened/bleached.